Sensory Calming Techniques

​Sensory calming techniques are strategies that help children calm when they are starting to get overwhelmed or have sensory overload. For sensory calming techniques there is no “one size fits all”.  It is important to start slow and see what your child responds positively to. We can learn a lot just through observation!  You may find that your child does best with a combination of calming techniques.  
 
Work on developing these techniques ahead of time.  In the middle of a meltdown is NOT a good time to experiment with new calming techniques. We don’t want to risk overstimulating a child when they are distressed or accidentally turn a “small” meltdown into a “mega” meltdown. Experiment with these strategies when children are calm and ready to play.
 
Movement Based Activities 
Movement can help a child get out any excess energy and meet sensory needs. Some children will start to calm by simply being given the opportunity to move their bodies. Here are some ideas:

• Set up an obstacle course
• Swings
• Dancing
• Play games that involve whole-body movement (twister, hide and go seek, red light / green light, simon says, tag)
• Walk like animals (walk like a dog, hop like a bunny, balance on 1 foot like a flamingo)
• Kids Yoga 

 
Mouth Based Activities 
We receive numerous sensory inputs in the mouth including taste, texture, temperature, and shape. As a result, some children calm with having extra input in their mouths.  Try some of the following:

• Offer different texture foods/items such as something crunchy like pretzels or ice or something soft like gum
• Blowing bubbles or blowing on a pinwheel. By focusing on controlling and providing the right amount of force in our breath, it allows us to concentrate on our breath and airflow which can be very calming
• Teach deep breathing techniques.  During a meltdown, if children take shallow and quick/rapid breaths, breathing is not efficient and may lead to more frustration and anxiety. By taking deep breaths and fully filling up our lungs with each breath we are maximizing our oxygen capacity
• Chewelry
  • (https://funandfunction.com/product-type/chewies.html
  • https://www.arktherapeutic.com/chewelry/)

Vision/Light-Based Activities 
Bright and fluorescent lights can be overstimulating for some children and provide too much visual stimulation.  Try some of the following:

• Lower the lights or turn the lights off.  This may help by giving the child less visual stimulation
• Find calming photos and save them to your phone or tablet such as beaches, mountains, lakes, or calming animals
• Liquid motion toys
  • (https://www.amazon.com/YoYa-Toys-Liquimo-Hourglass-Management/dp/B07G2DYQ7D/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=liquid+motion&qid=1562636639&s=gateway&sr=8-4)
• Toys that emit light like a Lite Brite

 
Noise/Music Based Activities
Noise and music can be very calming for some people but can be startling and alerting for others. Experiment when your child is calm and see how they respond to various types of noise and music. For the child that gets easily overstimulated by sounds or noise, they may benefit from wearing noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs in loud or crowded public places.
 
Have fun experimenting and let me know how it goes blog@goflowoccupationaltherapy.com! I would love to hear any strategies you find that work well for your child. 

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See you soon!
Michael Jankowski, MS, OTR/L